Ohio State’s secondary just got a major boost heading into 2026, and it comes from a familiar face.
Cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. is running it back for his senior season, opting to stay in Columbus instead of heading to the NFL. For a Buckeyes defense looking to reload and maintain its elite standard, keeping Mathews in the fold is a big-time win.
Mathews is coming off a strong junior campaign that earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches. He was a steady presence on the outside, finishing with 26 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and three pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, Mathews allowed just 28 receptions on 44 targets for 281 yards and two touchdowns - that’s an average of 6.4 yards per target, a number that puts him in the same ballpark as some of the nation’s more conservative passing offenses.
That level of efficiency didn’t happen overnight. Mathews, a top-50 recruit out of high school, started gaining meaningful reps early in his Buckeye career.
He made a name for himself as a true freshman in 2023 when he filled in for an injured Denzel Burke during a top-10 showdown against Penn State. Mathews was targeted seven times in that game and allowed only three catches for 29 yards - while also recording three tackles and a pass breakup.
That performance wasn’t just a flash; it was a sign of things to come.
By 2024, Mathews had cemented himself as the first corner off the bench, finishing the year with 22 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. But it was in 2025 where his versatility really started to shine.
When nickelback Lorenzo Styles Jr. went down with injury, Mathews slid inside and didn’t miss a beat. Against Illinois, he not only batted a pass that turned into an interception, but also came off the edge for a strip-sack - two takeaways in one game, both directly tied to his instincts and timing.
Still, the season didn’t end the way he wanted. In Ohio State’s final two games of 2025, Mathews was targeted eight times and gave up eight catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. That’s the kind of finish that sticks with a competitor - and likely played a role in his decision to return.
Looking ahead, Mathews is expected to remain the Buckeyes’ primary outside corner in 2026. He’ll be paired with rising sophomore Devin Sanchez, a highly touted young talent who’s expected to step into a starting role.
Mathews could still slide inside to nickel when needed, but the Buckeyes are shifting toward a three-safety look this season. That transition is being fueled by the arrival of Duke transfer Terry Moore and Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr., who will join returning starter Jaylen McClain in the back end.
Depth at corner remains a bit thin, though. Outside of Mathews and Sanchez, the only returning corners on the roster are redshirt sophomore Miles Lockhart and redshirt freshman Jordyn Woods. Lockhart saw just three defensive snaps in 2025, and Woods didn’t see the field at all.
To help shore that up, Ohio State added another experienced piece on Thursday with the commitment of Cam Calhoun, a well-traveled corner who’s spent time at Alabama, Utah, and Michigan. Calhoun also brings some built-in chemistry - he and Mathews were high school teammates at Winton Woods.
The Buckeyes also brought in two four-star cornerbacks in the 2026 recruiting class: Jordan Thomas and Jay Timmons. Both are talented enough to push for early playing time, especially given the limited experience behind the starters.
Bottom line: Mathews’ return gives Ohio State a proven, battle-tested corner to anchor the secondary. He’s been through the fire, shown growth every season, and now steps into a leadership role in what could be a pivotal year for the Buckeyes’ defense. If he can clean up the late-season blemishes and continue building on his all-conference form, Mathews has a chance to not only elevate this unit - but his own draft stock as well.